From the Chief's Office:
Citizen questions:
- Can we drive an all-terrain vehicle on the streets in Oak Ridge?
- Can we park our vehicles on the streets in Oak Ridge?
Can we drive an all-terrain vehicle on the streets in Oak Ridge?
The city put out a public service announcement on this in October of 2024. I will elaborate on the transportation code 663.037
to explain why they are not allowed on the streets in our city.
Texas Transportation Code § 663.037 generally prohibits operating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and other off-highway
vehicles (OHVs) on public streets, roads, and highways, recognizing they are designed for off-road use, but it includes
specific exceptions for things like agricultural/utility work, crossing roads at intersections, and operation in certain low-
population counties, often with strict requirements like daytime operation, lights on, a driver's license, and specific safety gear
like an orange flag
Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
General Prohibition: You CANNOT just ride an ATV on a public road.
Exceptions for Agriculture/Utility:
Can operate in the daytime for agricultural or utility work.
Must have headlights/taillights on, an 8-foot pole with a triangular orange flag, and the operator must have a driver's license.
Distance from origin is limited (e.g., 25 miles from origin).
Crossing Public Roads: You can cross a divided highway (not interstate) at an intersection, with headlights/taillights on.
Specific Counties: Some counties with populations under 150,000 can allow OHV use similar to Neighborhood Electric
Vehicles (NEVs). [Electric golfcarts as an example]
Operator Requirements:
Operator must have a valid driver's license (for most exceptions).
Operators under 14 need direct adult supervision.
Safety gear (helmet, eye protection) is often required even off-road.
In essence, § 663.037 creates a default "no" for ATVs on public roads but carves out specific, limited "yes" scenarios, mainly
for necessary work, not recreation, under strict conditions.
The bottom line is you cannot drive all-terrain vehicles on the streets in Oak Ridge even if they are registered with the State.
Can we drive an all-terrain vehicle on the streets in Oak Ridge?
In the city of Oak Ridge no one can park a vehicle on a street less than 32 feet wide. There are no streets in the city that are
32 feet or wider so the short answer is “no you can not park on any street in the city. City Ordinance 64-21 was amended and
the section requiring signs to be posted was removed and 64-21A replaced the original Ordinance. There is a very logical
reason for not allowing vehicles to be parked on the streets. If two cars are parked across from each other it does not allow a
clearance for emergency vehicles to get through the streets to respond to an emergency. We have many people who like to
jog, walk their dogs and have children that are in the streets. A parked car can block a driver’s view and could cause someone
to have an accident. The police department has allowed an exemption period for the Riverside addition but starting Jan 1,
2026, we will be issuing warnings for those cars parked on the streets.
If you have questions you would like the police to respond to, you can drop them off at City Hall or email ORPD@ci-or-tx.org.